An Italian gay rights activist went to Sochi -- and got thrown in jail. Crikey intern Luca Zuccaro profiles the former MP, who has had a colourful life -- and more than one brush with Russian homophobes.

Italy's new prime minister, until two months ago the 38-year-old mayor of Florence, is ambitious and models himself on Tony Blair. But he'll have huge challenges ahead of him as he tackles Italy's economic and electoral woes, and no parliamentary majority to aid his rule.

Founded guilty of sex with an underage prostitute, Silvio Berlusconi has moved closer to going to jail on a charge that almost by coincidence tells us a lot about his record, writes Charles Richardson.

Eight million Italians used their votes to send a message to the major parties by voting for comedian Beppe Grillo. But no one expected he would win. Rome-based journalist Josephine McKenna asks Italians: what now?